Nature's Beauty. Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E is a natural anti-oxidant with numerous health benefits. Learn more: here.

Vitamin E oil is great for nourishing dry hair and skin. I bought a bottle for less than five bucks at Trader Joe's recently and have been using it daily, adding it to my beauty regimen.

I keep Vitamin E, Olive, and Coconut oil as kitchen and beauty staples - you should too.

Beauty. Individual Nail Style

Photo's:
Top - (via) Jody Watley, Mac Cosmetics Artist, Shibuya, Japan
Bottom - (via) Yass 'FrostyJam' Imperial House of Waacking, Tokyo, Japan

Life Notes.

Quote Of The Day.

"Let him that would move the world first move himself." - Socrates

Donna Karan Spring 2012

From the Donna Karan Spring 2012 - that hair is snatched! It's difficult to pull off the 'dewy' skin without looking as if you just stepped away from a hot stove but I like the fabric wrap on the ponytail.
The collection is inspired by time spent in Haiti.

Photo's: (Via) Vogue.it

Art and Fashion.

Donna Karan New York Fashion Week Spring 2012.

Missoni For Target.

Today is the day that Missoni will be available at Target. Signature patterned and colorful clothing, household items and very cool make-up brushes and bags.

I have my eye on these pieces.

You can shop the collection online, in-store  or while they have stock. Available from September 13 - October 22.

The full lookbook: Here

Individual Style. Miki House Japan

Photographed in Osaka. Miki House Japan

Seeing this shoe display made me reminisce of when my son and daughter were little. Japan has the best children's clothes; so stylish and fun. I must say the clothes are always age appropriate as well.

I know I spent a small fortune there when my children were little, to see the joy was always worth it.

Thought Of The Day.

One of the cool things about Japan, is that positive messages are a part of their culture. You can find fun or inspirational quotes from children's lunch boxes and utensils to department store walls. I was at the cashier's booth paying for gifts and this was the sign in front of me so I had to snap a photo of it.
I believe it's true, very in line with it's the journey not the destination.

I'm appreciative to do what I love and never take it for granted.

Art and Music. Jody Watley

Jody Watley and Takako Utsumi (Illustrator). Tokyo, Summer 2011

On my trip to Japan last week, I had the pleasure of meeting Takako Utsumi who me presented me with these incredible illustrations. She did a phenomenal job with the detailing (down to including my signature handheld fan open and closed). I love the Japanese Kimono designs and use of color as well.

I'm wearing a piece of illustrated art on a honey colored T-shirt with my likeness from "Larger Than Life", my second album from 1989.  I don't know the name of the guy who drew it, but I remember he gave it to me in New York City when I performed at Summerstage with Masters At Work back in 2003 (I sang 'I Love to Love' which also featured Roy Ayers). I was in awe of this illustration and still am. I'm sure photographer Steven Meisel, who was behind the lens for the original photo would also approve. It's cool when people get the details of a person's features and the nuances that make us all unique. I'd like to reproduce this shirt for my online boutique - maybe the artist will read this blog and say yes to the idea.

I have a few gorgeous giant art pieces hanging in my house that were given to me professionally framed. I've also kept many small works of art that I also cherish. that someone would take their time to create their art because of their appreciation of mine is something I never take for granted or dismiss.

My green pashmina and lace fan are also gifts - I'm a lucky lady!

Classic Style. Ashford & Simpson

Beyond writing so many classic songs for themselves and so many others from Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, and more - Ashford & Simpson always gave you fashion and complimented each other well in music, love, life and style. I discovered designer Norma Kamali from Ashford & Simpson back in the late 70s when I was in the group Shalamar, as well as Charles Jourdan shoes. Onstage, Nick had so much charisma right along with Valerie. They were truly a dynamic duo and remained stylish through the years.

I had the pleasure of being a guest on their radio show several years ago and we shared great conversation. 

Nick encouraged me to go back to singing in my 'money tone', we all had a laugh about it. Both appreciated my exploration and broadening of my music and choosing to sing more in the warmer register of my range - but I totally understood and appreciated the reminder from him.

RIP Nick Ashford. My thoughts and prayers are with Valerie Simpson, their daughters, family and friends during this difficult time.

Photos (via) bsimagearchive.com

Nature's Beauty. Almond Butter

One of my favorite snacks is green apples with peanut butter. A friend recently suggested I try almond butter - I'm hooked!

As it turns out, it's considered a healthier option to peanut butter. Almond butter is low in saturated fat (zero trans fats) and contains natural quantities of calcium, protein, fiber, magnesium, vitamin E and folic acid. All of these nutrients are great for lowering cholesterol and good for your heart.


Read More Here: Almonds and Almond Butter

Beauty. Nail Trends - What's Hot Summer / Fall 2011

Copper

Army Green

Sapphire

Color Blocking

Leopard 'Shatter' 

At my nail appointment this week, I opted for the army green on my toes. I intend to try sapphire next. The YSL blue looks divine.

I've done color blocking on the nails a new and modern twist on the standard french manicure. I'm digging the "Shatter" leopard nails - must try that!

Updating your nails is a nice way to spruce up your look without breaking the bank.







Photo's and more info Via Click to read more: Instyle Magazine

Quote Of The Day.

Classic Style. New Vinyl

New limited edition 12" singles from The Step Kids " Legend In My Own Mind" on Stones Throw Records and "Little White Doves" from Dirty Vegas. What really caught my eye is the white vinyl - very cool.


Some aficionados still make vinyl available for collectors, even if they don't have a turntable; and of course it serves the niche based DJ culture worldwide. There's really nothing like holding the music in your hands. Vinyl reminds us that music is more like art as opposed to the digital format which makes music feel more like data, which it isn't in my opinion.

There was nothing like getting a vinyl album or 12" single looking at the artwork, reading liner notes and dropping the needle. There's a new generation discovering what that feeling and process was like, through these types of special pressings.

I've joked that whenever I finish "Chameleon" it will released on vinyl only initially - just because..

Quote Of The Day.

"Do or do not - there is no try." - Yoda

Thought Of The Day.

Music Notes. Little Dragon "Crystalfilm"

I love this song from band 'Little Dragon'. The fan-made video using footage from the classic 1966 film 'The Endless Summer' is juxtaposed perfectly as visual accompaniment to the lyrics and music.


The new 'Little Dragon' album is called "Ritual Union". I've discovered countless gems and artists in music beyond the limitations of the usual over-saturated and ever limited play lists in 'commercial' fare dating back to over a decade ago when I discovered and immersed myself in the incredible and vibrant underground music scene. Online stations, blogs, NPR Music Programs, etc -- venture out.

His Shoe Game. Missoni Desert Boots and Kenny

Missoni Desert Boots. Fall/Winter 2011

A new bit of flair added to the classic 'Desert Boot' from Missoni. I have to say these made me think of being in Junior High when they were a must have for girls and boys who wanted to feel cool and in style. If you had on some desert boots, you walked with a bit more attitude. This is a fond memory thinking of it now.

I had a crush on a boy named Kenny (isn't there a cute guy named Kenny at every school?), who wore a light brown pair all the time. Kenny was a star basketball player at the school and a senior (I was in 7th grade). He was tall, thin, ridiculously good-looking with paperbag brown skin. Kenny had a great smile with a big afro (a lot of girls were suckers for a guy with a big fro' and I was one of them too for a minute). The hilarious thing is Kenny didn't know I or any of my friends were alive, lol. My girlhood friends and I knew exactly when he'd be coming down the hall changing classes and where he sat during lunch.
We'd all be scrambling around and walking past him trying to be seen by him, like most of the girls at the school - but to no avail. Roller-skating was huge at the time. It was the thing to do on Saturday afternoons after Soul Train went off. Kenny was of course 'The Best Skater' and smooth as silk. To my shock, Kenny came up to me and asked to 'couple skate' once and I nearly fainted inside but played it totally cool. My friends and I gave each other a quick look sharing our own private moment as only we knew when it came to our collective Kenny crush.
All I could think of as we went around the rink was don't trip or fall and embarrass myself and most of all don't mess up and embarrass Kenny - as we glided around that floor in perfect precision.

Kenny and his desert boots had it going on.




Photo (via) HighSnobiety

Denim Style and Textile Innovation. "The Commuter" by Levi's

The technology involved with Levi's new 'Commuter' style is terrific, they look great and this is a cool ad. However, the male model really caught my eye!